Most high school football players, no matter how talented, rarely see the field as freshmen at the NCAA Division I level.

Vontae Diggs bucked that trend.

The 2014 Downers Grove North graduate saw action right away at UConn on special teams and at linebacker last season.

The results on the field weren’t always there as the Huskies struggled at times, but the experience of playing as a true freshman was a memorable one for Diggs, one he hopes to build upon this year.

Before getting started with fall practices, Diggs spoke with Sports Editor Jason Rossi about what it was like playing as a freshman, some of the challenges of last season, and the Huskies’ outlook this season.

Rossi: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make in playing college football? 

Diggs: Obviously the speed of the game. Everything moves faster and everyone is the same size, if not bigger. Another adjustment was how to read the game. In high school you could kind of move around on defense. If you do that here, you're not going to be as successful.

Rossi: How tough was it to play as a true freshman?

Diggs: Obviously you want to play as a freshman coming in, but it was hard to go against fifth year seniors, guys that were 22 or 23 years old and I'm 18. It was very fun but at the same time very humbling.

Rossi: How did the UConn coaches prepare you to play?

Diggs: They break you down and build you back up. What I knew already helped me, but it was completely different. You have to know the game front and back. Playing at this level, you learn the X's and O's and how to execute.

Rossi: Did playing at Downers Grove North help get you ready for D-I football?

Diggs: In college, everyone is a someone where they come from. Downers Grove North helped me and coach Wander and the staff helped me because they held me to a high standard. That helped me here.

Rossi: What was the highlight of the 2014 season for you?

Diggs: Stepping on the field against BYU for the opening kickoff [in the first game], that was something. The place was packed and it was the loudest I've ever heard a stadium. I had to take a look around and recognize the blessings I have.

Rossi: What’s the No. 1 thing it takes to be a successful Division I college player?

Diggs: Patience and knowing that nothing you want to do is going to come fast or easy. You've got to be willing and ready to work. The easy part is [the games on] Saturday. The hard part is Monday through Friday when you're up late doing homework and you have to get up early for workouts.

Rossi: How are things looking this season?

Diggs: Our offense is looking sharp and our defense is looking sharp. In the spring you could tell we're ready on both sides of the ball.